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Daily Reflections

Daily Scripture, September 17, 2025

Scripture:

1 Timothy 3:14-16
Luke 7:31-35

Reflection:

Our readings today might aptly be described as a “lesson on manners,” a brief but very insightful tutorial on how Christians ought and ought not to behave. In the passage from 1 Timothy, we are reminded that through baptism we were incorporated into “the household of God.” Even though all of us belong to multiple “households” (family, friendships, local communities, groups and organizations), none should ever become more important than the household of God, which is “the Church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth.” The household of God is our true place of belonging, the foundation and center of our lives; no other “household” should ever supplant it.

Lest we think the household of God is a haphazard collection of individuals, each doing as he or she pleases, the writer insists that every member should “know how to behave in the household of God.” That’s because as we grow as members of that household, we are initiated into the ways of God that have been revealed to us in Christ. By learning the “manners” of Christ, we can fulfill our baptismal vocation of witnessing Christ in our lives until, as 1 Timothy promises, he is “believed in throughout the world.”

By contrast, today’s strange nugget of a gospel shows us how not to behave; it is a pithy, if initially perplexing, lesson in “bad manners.” Jesus zeroes in on people who are always finding fault, always criticizing, and using that as an excuse to reject the message as well as the messenger. John the Baptist comes along, and rather than taking his message to heart, they declare, “He is possessed by a demon.” Then Jesus stands right in front of them, and rather than opening their hearts to receive him, they mock him as “a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” As a result, they stay exactly as they were, untouched, unchanged, unredeemed. That’s not only bad manners; it’s also an inconsolable tragedy.

Paul J. Wadell is Professor Emeritus of Theology & Religious Studies at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin, and a member of the Passionist Family of Holy Cross Province.

Daily Scripture, October 23, 2008

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21 Luke 12:49-53 Reflection: In today’s Gospel reading from Luke, Jesus says some startling words: "Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, October 22, 2008

Scripture: Ephesians 3:2-12 Luke 12:39-48 Reflection: "God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, October 29, 2008

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-9 Luke 13:22-30 Reflection: Geography is important to the Gospel writer Luke. Notice in this passage that Jesus is making his way down through towns and villages to » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture Reflection, Oct. 17, 2008

Memorial of St. Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr    Readings: Eph 1:11-14 Lk 12:1-7   Reflection: Being a Christian is not for the faint of heart. Although our contemporary » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, October 20, 2008

Feast of St. Paul of the Cross, Founder of the Passionists. Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10 Luke 12:35-38 Reflection: St. Paul of the Cross, Founder of the Passionists, was born in 1694 » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, November 2, 2008

Scripture: Wisdom 3:1-9 Romans 5:5-11 John 6:37-40 Reflection: Today’s feast of All Souls summons powerful waves of memory for each of us and recalls the richness found in human relationships. » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, October 21, 2008

Scripture: Ephesians 2:12-22 Luke 12:35-38 Reflection: We are in the fall of the year, when the harvest is being gathered from the fields. This is the final stage of a » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, October 19, 2008

Scripture: Isaiah 45:1, 4-6 Thessalonians 1:1-5b Matthew 22:15-21 Reflection: The Gospel reading for today is written by a professional who understood perfectly what was going on, Matthew the tax collector! » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, October 12, 2008

Scripture: Isaiah 25:6-10a Philippians 4:12-14,19-20 Matthew 22:1-14 Reflection: Jesus never explicitly says what the kingdom of heaven is. Instead he says it is like such and such. In this parable, » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, October 11, 2008

Scripture: Galatians 3:22-29 Luke 11:27-28 Reflection: A group of enthusiastic retreatants shouted "Amen!" one weekend when asked if they believe in the Communion of Saints.  They were affirming and celebrating » Continue Reading.

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